China: Through a Lens.

Personal Post

01.22.2015

There are so many things that I could write about this blog post, but all my writing about this experience was already exhausted 6 months ago when I took this trip and kept a small brown-papered journal with me and committed to a hand written account of each and every one of my 20 days. So if you ever come visit and you want to know exactly what my first and last meals were, or the name of each and every city we visited, or how to spell and say phrases like “tastes good”, “it’s hot”, “bottom’s up”, or “stupid American” you will have to reference the journal. Here’s what I can tell you:

I took thousands of pictures but somehow got this blog post to a manageable 158, hence the half a year wait. (#TBT, right?!)

I’ve never appreciated a traditional ceramic sitting toilet so much in my life.

Duck’s blood looks like jello. Except it’s red.

If you can’t read the label and the alcohol comes out clear, chances are it will burn your throat off.

American’s are kind of like celebrities over there in the sense that random people will come up to take their photo with you. And the next thing you know you’re pulling the presidential wave and kissing babies. Just don’t get used to it, the TSA agent upon arrival home will be a rude awakening.

The lack of diapers makes for some pretty interesting pant styles for kids.

The mall is the best place to go to avoid the stifling summer heat. Not the best place to avoid your new fans, though.

The Great Wall is really freakin’ big. Just trust me.

There is no such thing as “personal space”. Or toilet paper.

Pizza Hut is making a comeback, you just haven’t heard about it because it’s happening on the other side of the world.

I want to thank my best friend Joanna for being the entire reason any of this was possible. She was my roommate all during college, she was my maid of honor, and now she opened the doors to the other part of her life to us, the part of her life that none of her other friends here in America have yet experienced. Staying with her family was nothing short of an honor, and her grandmother was a woman who will always hold a special place in my heart. Those roughly translated conversations that Colin had with her grandfather were strangely personal, and their housekeeper woke us with a smile each morning we were in their home. The days that we traveled were eye-opening, and again I must thank Joanna’s family for suggesting some incredible places and ensuring that we had proper hospitality everywhere we went. This trip was a humbling experience and truly made me appreciate all of the little things that have made my life what it is. If you every have the chance to get out and see the places that make you realize how tiny you and your problems are, go and don’t look back.